Iron-related markers of inflammation in horses with colic.

The aim of the study was to compare and correlate levels of ferritin, transferrin, iron and APPs in healthy horses and those surgically treated for strangulating colic. On admission, measurements of inflammatory markers related to iron and total protein, fibrinogen, albumin, haptoglobin and ceruloplasmin were made. The study comprised 22 horses, divided into a control group (CG) of healthy horses (n = 10) and horses with surgically treated acute abdomen (n = 12), obstruction group (OG). The OG was subdivided according to the affected intestinal segment (small vs. large) and according to outcome (survivors vs. non survivors). The OG had higher haptoglobin (34.8±14.2 mg/dL vs 20.8±7.21 mg/dL) and transferrin (487±161 mg/dL vs 369±71.4 mg/dL) values and lower iron (96.9±65 µg/dL vs 218±105 µg/dL) values than the CG. The OG horses with large intestine obstruction had lower values of transferrin (374.6±130 mg/dL) than horses with small intestinal obstruction (598.6±98.9 mg/dL). There was no difference in outcome between horses with large and small intestinal obstruction. Ferritin levels were moderately correlated with total protein (r = 0.594; P = 0.042) and albumin (r = 0.584; P = 0.046) in OG. In the multivariate exploratory analysis, fibrinogen levels were higher in animals that did not survive. In conclusion, haptoglobin, transferrin and iron were useful inflammatory markers for colic in horses. The correlation of ferritin with other APPs shows a possible role of ferritin as an APP in horses. Fibrinogen levels are higher in horses with greater risk of death from strangulating obstructions.

Evolución cicatricial de herida lacerante con exposición ósea en equino. Reporte de caso / Healing evolution of lacerating wound with bone exposure in horse. Case report

RESUMEN Este manuscrito reporta un caso de laceración amplia con gran pérdida de piel en la porción dorso-medial del miembro pélvico derecho, con exposición parcial del metatarso y del tendón del músculo extensor digital común en una yegua de la raza Cuarto de Milla con 8 meses de edad. Se prescribió un tratamiento a base de antibióticos y anti-inflamatorios, con intervención de la herida en días alternados previa tranquilización con clorhidrato de detomidina. La contaminación inicial, asociada al tamaño y magnitud de la lesión, contribuyeron para que la herida demorase 170 días para cicatrizar. El uso repetido y prolongado de detomidina no causo alteraciones cardiovasculares en la paciente.

ABSTRACT This article reports a case of a large laceration with great loss of skin at the dorsal medial portion of the right pelvic member, with partial exposure of the metatarsal and the long extensor tendon of the fingers in a 8-month-old Quare Horse mare. A treatment was prescribed based on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, with an intervention of the wound on alternate days after tranquilization with detomidine. The initial contamination, associated with the size and magnitude of the injury, contributed to a delay of 170 days for the wound to heal. Repeated and prolonged use of detomidine did not cause any cardiovascular changes.